The world of Yellowstone is getting bigger, but the new show Marshals is not trying to copy the original. The man in charge of the spin-off, Spencer Hudnut, recently opened up about the biggest differences between the two series. His main point is simple: the new show needs to keep things moving.
Spencer Hudnut, who worked on the action drama Seal Team for many years, is now the showrunner for Marshals. He explained that while the original Yellowstone was known for its slow, beautiful scenes and long talks between characters, the new show has a different job to do. It is a procedural drama that airs on CBS, which means the story needs to be quicker and more direct.
“I think it’s less about trying to follow his writing style per se, but always being true to the universe and to the characters,” Hudnut told Parade in an exclusive interview. “Not every scene in a CBS procedural can be John Dutton talking to his daughter at the corral about her dead mother. There are moments where you just need to get out that shoe leather and get the case moving along.”
This one quote explains the heart of the matter. Marshals will still feel like it lives in the same world, but the rhythm of the storytelling is going to be very different.
A New Sheriff in Town: No Taylor Sheridan Day-to-Day
One of the biggest surprises for fans is that Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Yellowstone, is not writing or running this new show. He is still an executive producer, but the day-to-day work falls to Spencer Hudnut. This is a major shift because Sheridan’s voice is so strong in every other part the franchise.
According to reports from Variety and IMDb, Sheridan’s involvement is minimal and mostly “in name only.” Hudnut confirmed this, saying Sheridan made himself available to help get the show off the ground but is happy to let his team handle the rest. “He has so much on his plate that I really sort of view it as my job to keep from adding to that,” Hudnut explained.
This change in leadership is exactly why the show feels different. Hudnut is bringing his own style from Seal Team, which means more action and a focus on military tactics. Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, told the Toronto Star that the show can now explore parts of Kayce that Yellowstone never had time for, like his skills as a Navy SEAL. “We barely scratched the surface of that,” Grimes said.
What is Marshals About? Kayce’s New Life
For those who need a quick recap, Marshals starts about six months after the end of Yellowstone. Kayce Dutton leaves the ranch life behind. After a personal tragedy, he joins an elite team of U.S. Marshals in Montana. He uses both his cowboy skills and his military training to track down fugitives.
The show brings back some familiar faces. Brecken Merrill returns as Kayce’s son, Tate. Gil Birmingham is back as Thomas Rainwater, and Mo Brings Plenty reprises his role as Mo. But the team around Kayce is mostly new. The cast includes Logan Marshall-Green as Pete Calvin, Kayce’s old SEAL team leader who recruits him, plus Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, and Tatanka Means as his new partners.
Notably missing from the main cast is Kelsey Asbille, who played Kayce’s wife Monica. The network has not confirmed if she left the franchise, and her future on the show remains unclear.
The Big Difference: Procedural vs. Slow Burn
So, what does “getting the case moving along” actually look like?
On Yellowstone, a single problem might take several episodes to solve. There were long scenes of people riding horses, staring at the land, or having deep conversations about life and death. Taylor Sheridan is famous for letting scenes breathe.
Marshals will be different. Because it is on CBS, it needs to fit a network TV structure. Each episode will likely focus on a specific case or fugitive. But Hudnut says it is not a simple “case of the week” show. He calls it a “non-traditional procedural.” This means that while the team chases bad guys, the personal stories of Kayce and his new friends will grow slowly over time.
“I think it’s about trying to be mindful of tapping into the themes that the Yellowstone audience really related to,” Hudnut said. “Whether it’s man versus nature, the consequences of violence, family, vengeance, grief, all of those things.”
He also admitted that he acts like a “Taylor Sheridan cover band” in certain places, meaning some scenes will look, sound, and feel exactly like the mothership show. The goal is to balance action with the deep, emotional character work that fans love.
Can Kayce See Beth Again? Showrunner Answers
With two new shows running at the same time—Marshals and the upcoming Dutton Ranch (which follows Beth and Rip)—fans are wondering if the siblings will ever meet again.
Spencer Hudnut addressed this directly. He told Entertainment Weekly that while a reunion would be great, both shows are busy building their own worlds right now. “If something happens, that would be great,” he said. “But I think both shows are sort of forging their own paths right now.”
He did reveal that he talks to Chad Feehan, who runs Dutton Ranch, all the time. They park near each other and share ideas to make sure the two shows don’t accidentally contradict each other. “We did have communication a couple times about, ‘I’m doing this thing, are you doing this thing?’” Hudnut shared.
So, while a crossover is not happening immediately, the door is open for the future.
Also Read:
When and Where to Watch Marshals
Marshals is ready to launch. Here are the important details for viewers around the world:
- Premiere Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026.
- Time: 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT.
- Channel: CBS (in the USA).
- Streaming: Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
- Episode Count: The first season will have 13 episodes.
For international viewers, the show will drop on Paramount+ on Monday mornings. In the UK, for example, fans can expect it around 8:00 AM GMT.
Luke Grimes hopes the old fans give it a chance. “I hope you like it, that’s what I would say,” Grimes told Entertainment Tonight at the premiere. “I hope the original fans will still like it.”
Also Read: Wyatt Russell Finally Opens Up About His Real Bond with Kurt Russell
Stay with VvipTimes for more breaking news and updates on your favorite stars and shows as the Yellowstone universe continues to grow.
